Just when the fields looked like they were starting to dry out from snow melt and late winter rain, the rain started again. Ugh, in my book there's nothing worse than cold rain. It started Sunday night, and continued through Monday into today. Looks like some more tomorrow. After that, amazingly, it is supposed to be warm and sunny; actually, let me retype that: sunny and WARM, like, starting at 63 degrees Thursday and heading right up to about 70! Crazy.
With the days of rain, the horses have been in. Not complaining about that, it's definitely my preference since my two wouldn't be happy out there in the rain and wind. But I had to come up with a plan to keep them active; so, I've been alternating. Saturday I lunged Bestie so that I could have a worries-free ride on her Sunday. Monday I rode Dude and did a light lunge of Bestie. Tonight I handwalked Dude (who enjoyed a nice roll in the indoor), then rode Bestie. A light ride since it was a jumping lesson night and the ride was all about avoiding other riders and jumps. Tomorrow, back on Dude -- hopefully; he seemed a little funky at first on his front right and I wondered if he might have a bit of thrush or an abscess going. He seemed ok after the walk, though.
Thursday is probably the only day they'll each get a quick handwalk since I have yoga. With the warm temps coming, I'm hoping the fields will dry out enough by Friday that they can go out. Since Dude just got new shoes last Friday, I certainly don't want him to pull a shoe out in a mucky field. If the fields do dry out this weekend, it's more than likely the cycle will start all over again ... seems that rarely do we get a dry spring in Vermont.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Couple crazy weeks with not much pony time
The last couple of weeks were b-u-s-y. Katie was home on break for one week, then Maddie was home the second week. Then Katie came back for the final weekend of Maddie's break so we could go to a concert in Montreal-- Bon Jovi, AWESOME! There was also the drive down to get Mads, and a one-nighter in Boston for a Penguins/Bruins game thrown into the mix. Plus all the usual.
All this meant not much time with the ponies, just a lot of rushed visits to the barn to clean them up and muck their stalls. I think I actually did go exactly two weeks without riding or lunging, ughhh. I don't like to have stretches like that. The weather was absolutely glorious over this period, with a batch of sunny days and temps in the upper 40s and 50s. Unfortunately, that also means MUD as the frozen ground softens up.
Their turnout sheets are a mess. After one week I switched to the second turnouts for each of them because the first turnouts were absolutely caked and stiff with mud. It was at the point where it had permeated the sheets, you couldn't brush it off. Believe me, I tried. Now the second turnout sheets are looking just about as bad. I can already see that there's gonna be one of those visits to the laundromat in my future where I skulk in and hope no one sees me, the sheets are that ugly!
I finally did get to ride Dude a couple nights ago, which was nice. He seemed pretty happy about it, too. I lunged Bestie last night. She was pretty good, just a couple little snorts and bucks; not bad at all. Her back right ankle seemed a little swollen Tuesday, but Emma wrapped her and it seems to be coming and going depending on whether they're out or in. They were in for a couple days because the fields were so bad. Today they were out and her ankle looked better.
They got their first spring shot on Monday night and were perfect angels -- you just never know! Totally unpredictable. I think we've got the drill down; the vet just needs to sidle up, not show the needle, give them a couple pats, then quickly do the shot so they never know what hit them. If they see the shot, it's a no-go.
They had the dreaded five-way, dreaded because they have reacted with large lumps at the injection site in the past. Last year they were ok, and this year they were ok. I buted them a couple days prior just in case. Bestie had a small lump the next day, but nothing compared to years' past.
Tomorrow I've got a lesson on Dude, my first in at least two weeks. And they're having their feet done. Wondering if it's time to take Dude's winter shoes off; will have to confer with the farrier. April's inching closer and closer. I'm loving the sunshine!
All this meant not much time with the ponies, just a lot of rushed visits to the barn to clean them up and muck their stalls. I think I actually did go exactly two weeks without riding or lunging, ughhh. I don't like to have stretches like that. The weather was absolutely glorious over this period, with a batch of sunny days and temps in the upper 40s and 50s. Unfortunately, that also means MUD as the frozen ground softens up.
Their turnout sheets are a mess. After one week I switched to the second turnouts for each of them because the first turnouts were absolutely caked and stiff with mud. It was at the point where it had permeated the sheets, you couldn't brush it off. Believe me, I tried. Now the second turnout sheets are looking just about as bad. I can already see that there's gonna be one of those visits to the laundromat in my future where I skulk in and hope no one sees me, the sheets are that ugly!
I finally did get to ride Dude a couple nights ago, which was nice. He seemed pretty happy about it, too. I lunged Bestie last night. She was pretty good, just a couple little snorts and bucks; not bad at all. Her back right ankle seemed a little swollen Tuesday, but Emma wrapped her and it seems to be coming and going depending on whether they're out or in. They were in for a couple days because the fields were so bad. Today they were out and her ankle looked better.
They got their first spring shot on Monday night and were perfect angels -- you just never know! Totally unpredictable. I think we've got the drill down; the vet just needs to sidle up, not show the needle, give them a couple pats, then quickly do the shot so they never know what hit them. If they see the shot, it's a no-go.
They had the dreaded five-way, dreaded because they have reacted with large lumps at the injection site in the past. Last year they were ok, and this year they were ok. I buted them a couple days prior just in case. Bestie had a small lump the next day, but nothing compared to years' past.
Tomorrow I've got a lesson on Dude, my first in at least two weeks. And they're having their feet done. Wondering if it's time to take Dude's winter shoes off; will have to confer with the farrier. April's inching closer and closer. I'm loving the sunshine!
Monday, March 15, 2010
First appearance of the spring crazies
When I got to the barn today Dude and Bestie were fully engrossed in the all-important task of consuming grain and hay. They were so totally uninterested in my arrival that I was really surprised when I found out that the horses hadn't gone outside today. Usually a day with no turnout means that they are a little stir crazy by the time I get there.
I didn't have time to ride or do anything, and since they had just eaten, I didn't want to take them in the indoor because they always roll when I walk them in there. That didn't seem to be a good thing to do with full bellies. So I decided to walk them down the road; a little stroll on a nice day. I got Dude haltered and ready, and we headed out. The first stretch of road is always busy in the late afternoon with commuters even though it's an unpaved road, but he was fine as cars passed. We strolled by a flapping tarp. We passed a house where a guy, barely visible through the brushy trees, was loading his car and opening and slamming the doors.
The walk was going swimmingly, and then my socks started to fall down. I had kept my dinky little thin socks I'd worn to work on with my Columbia boots, and the socks proceeded to slowly slouch down until basically there was a big lump at the base of my heel. Right about the time the sock lump was starting to drive me crazy, Dude started to do his huffy snort and short prancy trot--typical behavior when he wants to make a point about something he doesn't like. He was snorting in the direction of two people walking a dog waaaaayyyy across a field.
So much for the pleasant walk. He stopped in the middle of the road (no traffic, luckily) to snort at the threesome. After that, as we made our way back to the barn, everything became cause for alarm: the flapping tarp, the guy in his driveway, the cars passing. Not real alarm though, because he didn't really freak out. I think he just wanted to snort and trot and have a little fun in the warm weather and sunshine. Got back to the barn and put him on the cross ties to groom him, and he basically fell asleep.
I decided not to attempt the road with Bestie, and just took her to the back field to let her pick at the grass now that most of the snow is gone. At first she didn't know what to do with herself ... so much grass, where do I eat?? Eventually she settled down, seeming to prefer the clumps of still green crab grass. An uneventful little graze. I like that.
I didn't have time to ride or do anything, and since they had just eaten, I didn't want to take them in the indoor because they always roll when I walk them in there. That didn't seem to be a good thing to do with full bellies. So I decided to walk them down the road; a little stroll on a nice day. I got Dude haltered and ready, and we headed out. The first stretch of road is always busy in the late afternoon with commuters even though it's an unpaved road, but he was fine as cars passed. We strolled by a flapping tarp. We passed a house where a guy, barely visible through the brushy trees, was loading his car and opening and slamming the doors.
The walk was going swimmingly, and then my socks started to fall down. I had kept my dinky little thin socks I'd worn to work on with my Columbia boots, and the socks proceeded to slowly slouch down until basically there was a big lump at the base of my heel. Right about the time the sock lump was starting to drive me crazy, Dude started to do his huffy snort and short prancy trot--typical behavior when he wants to make a point about something he doesn't like. He was snorting in the direction of two people walking a dog waaaaayyyy across a field.
So much for the pleasant walk. He stopped in the middle of the road (no traffic, luckily) to snort at the threesome. After that, as we made our way back to the barn, everything became cause for alarm: the flapping tarp, the guy in his driveway, the cars passing. Not real alarm though, because he didn't really freak out. I think he just wanted to snort and trot and have a little fun in the warm weather and sunshine. Got back to the barn and put him on the cross ties to groom him, and he basically fell asleep.
I decided not to attempt the road with Bestie, and just took her to the back field to let her pick at the grass now that most of the snow is gone. At first she didn't know what to do with herself ... so much grass, where do I eat?? Eventually she settled down, seeming to prefer the clumps of still green crab grass. An uneventful little graze. I like that.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Suffering from pony withdrawal
Today was my first day at the barn since Wednesday. Last week was crazy with 4H commitments on two evenings, a drive to MA to pick up Maddie, and a hockey tournament. Luckily Katie was home on break to pinch hit for me and to also enjoy a couple rides on Dude.
When I got to the barn I checked out their stalls, added a bit of shavings to Dude's, then walked out to get Dude and Bestie from their fields. Bestie nickered as soon as she saw me, as did Dude when he spotted me--what better welcome than that??! I went to get Dude first, and he started to head to the gate, but then Dusty, one of his pasture mates, got cranky and went after him, so Dude took off at a run around the field, away from the gate. The fields are such a mess after these two weeks of thawing that I was afraid he was going to slip and fall. I yelled and shook the lead rope at Dusty so he'd leave Dude alone, then I caught Dude and got him through the gate. Grrr. Put him in his stall, then went back out for Bestie.
Since I had played hockey all weekend I really only wanted to groom them and then head home to crash on the couch. They were a total mess: blankets caked with mud, mud on their legs and necks, hooves packed with mud. It took forever -- two hours -- to clean them up, and my arms are soooo tired tonight. I scrubbed Dude's feet out with hoof antiseptic. I tried to brush off their turnout sheets, but didn't accomplish much, it's like the blankets have reached the stage where the dirt is ground in. Hopefully the fields either freeze up or dry out. I just can't believe that it won't turn cold again ... it is awfully early for consistent temps in the 40s to stick around. Also hope this week allows for a bit more barn time. I miss the ponies when I can't see them every day!
When I got to the barn I checked out their stalls, added a bit of shavings to Dude's, then walked out to get Dude and Bestie from their fields. Bestie nickered as soon as she saw me, as did Dude when he spotted me--what better welcome than that??! I went to get Dude first, and he started to head to the gate, but then Dusty, one of his pasture mates, got cranky and went after him, so Dude took off at a run around the field, away from the gate. The fields are such a mess after these two weeks of thawing that I was afraid he was going to slip and fall. I yelled and shook the lead rope at Dusty so he'd leave Dude alone, then I caught Dude and got him through the gate. Grrr. Put him in his stall, then went back out for Bestie.
Since I had played hockey all weekend I really only wanted to groom them and then head home to crash on the couch. They were a total mess: blankets caked with mud, mud on their legs and necks, hooves packed with mud. It took forever -- two hours -- to clean them up, and my arms are soooo tired tonight. I scrubbed Dude's feet out with hoof antiseptic. I tried to brush off their turnout sheets, but didn't accomplish much, it's like the blankets have reached the stage where the dirt is ground in. Hopefully the fields either freeze up or dry out. I just can't believe that it won't turn cold again ... it is awfully early for consistent temps in the 40s to stick around. Also hope this week allows for a bit more barn time. I miss the ponies when I can't see them every day!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Maple Valley sugarhouse steaming ... spring coming?
Today I made two trips to the barn, and on my second trip I sat in my car for a few minutes eating my lunch before going in. I noticed I could see the Maple Valley Farm sugarhouse in my side mirror, and it was really steaming. Very pretty against the snow and blue sky. It seems we've had great temperatures for sugaring, with nights in the 20s and days much warmer; the weather forecaster on the morning news is even commenting on it each day. If the stretch keeps going, maple sugarers are going to get that oh-so-tired zombie-like look soon!
Why two trips to the barn? Well, first trip was for my lesson. Dude was napping in the sunshine, and he was so slow during the lesson I don't think he ever really came out of his nap! We trotted figure eights and serpentines, both at the jog and at a posting trot, and then practiced transitions by trotting the curves of the serpentine and walking the straight path between sides. He was pretty good, just kind of dozy and slow--it was hard to get him into a nice trot that I could easily post to. And I haven't posted that much, so my legs are t-i-r-e-d.
With all the circles and curves I expressed a little worry that his old hind end injury might be bothered. Emma said he looks good, and he does feel fine to me. I guess I just need to be conscientious about warming him up, and she felt that the lesson plus one other session of similar length during the week and one little short one would be sufficient to get him into shape yet play it safe. Once the weather changes for good, it'll be nice to have the lesson in the outdoor ... more room. And it is also a lovely walk to get down there and back.
I ran and did some grocery shopping after my lesson, then came back in time to bring them in and pick out their feet. The fields are starting to get a little messy with these temps in the upper 30s/low 40s. Hopefully they don't turn into mud pits too soon. But they're messy enough that I'm really trying to take care of Dude and Bestie's feet. It's tempting to think that spring is coming, but it IS March, our month where we usually get a whopper snowstorm. We'll see!
Why two trips to the barn? Well, first trip was for my lesson. Dude was napping in the sunshine, and he was so slow during the lesson I don't think he ever really came out of his nap! We trotted figure eights and serpentines, both at the jog and at a posting trot, and then practiced transitions by trotting the curves of the serpentine and walking the straight path between sides. He was pretty good, just kind of dozy and slow--it was hard to get him into a nice trot that I could easily post to. And I haven't posted that much, so my legs are t-i-r-e-d.
With all the circles and curves I expressed a little worry that his old hind end injury might be bothered. Emma said he looks good, and he does feel fine to me. I guess I just need to be conscientious about warming him up, and she felt that the lesson plus one other session of similar length during the week and one little short one would be sufficient to get him into shape yet play it safe. Once the weather changes for good, it'll be nice to have the lesson in the outdoor ... more room. And it is also a lovely walk to get down there and back.
I ran and did some grocery shopping after my lesson, then came back in time to bring them in and pick out their feet. The fields are starting to get a little messy with these temps in the upper 30s/low 40s. Hopefully they don't turn into mud pits too soon. But they're messy enough that I'm really trying to take care of Dude and Bestie's feet. It's tempting to think that spring is coming, but it IS March, our month where we usually get a whopper snowstorm. We'll see!
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